How is Your Issue Serving You?

Our pains, excessive emotions, and anxiety often times serve us in some way. After all, we've become accustomed to the related behaviors. Ailments often bring safety - safety because the picture created by the issue is predictable. There is benefit in a predictable and controlled picture. Anxiety is caused by worry. Many of us are seasoned worriers. After all, if we don't do the worrying, who will? Anxiety has often taken years to perfect. Could it be related to the fear of the future? Is our security at risk if we don't worry about it? Were you taught to take care of yourself at a very early age? Perhaps you were responsible for your parents as a young child. I hear of this often. When responsibility abounds, beginning early in life, we form a sort of addiction to that responsibility. It's easier to plan for the future than to be present, now... and to perhaps even have fun. Many times when I see a marker in the hand indicating 'early childhood responsibility' or hear about a client's fierce hold on responsibility I ask, "what do you do to have fun?" Typically, answers do not come quickly, if at all. I encourage you to become more aware of your need for planning, responsibility and security. Does it consume your thoughts and actions? What would it take to become more balanced? A mindful walk each day? Considered sight on a fluttering humming bird? Conscious presence with a breath?

This isn't about relinquishing all hold on responsibility and banishing anxiety. However, this is about getting clarity about the root causes of worry which form the picture of anxiety. If tranquility is something you long for, give yourself permission to do something fun - to skip planning one more activity that requires seriousness. Or better yet, maybe it's time to consider a serious form of play. I invite you to just consider a shift in perception about the excessive need for responsibility.